Listen, See, Speak...

Once…

When no one was listening,

Shelly became most inexpressibly sad.

If someone had been listening

They would have heard

The silence drowning the laughter

Or maybe the sobs, her new nighttime lullaby.

But you see,

No was listening.

 

Once…

When no one was looking

Shelly’s happiness began to fade.

Her dull eyes focused on the ground

Never again rising to meet the sky.

Her hair lost it’s shine

And her skin it’s glow.

Someone should have realized

But someone wasn't looking.

 

Once…

A spoken word could have saved,

Not a comment uttered that day,

Not a hello or hey,

Not an excuse me or move it,

Not even a last good bye...

A word could have saved her

The dictionary is full of them

But no one said it.

 

Once…

They found a girl

Locked behind her bedroom door.

No heart pounding,

No breath passing her lips,

Alone...

All people could say

Why’d she do it,

How could this happen.

 

Once…

There was this girl

With sparkly eyes

And a contagious laugh.

How could someone,

(As sad as she must have been)

Brighten everyone else’s life.

Devastated friends wondered

What could have been done?

 

Once…

There was a funeral

Standing room only

Family, friends and coworkers...

Exchanging stories, anecdotes, and tears.

Shelly stood in the back,

With one last thought,

As her soul began to fade…

 

“Why didn’t I hear them

Once before?

Why didn’t see this love

Once before?

Why didn’t I say I hurt

Just once before?”

Reviews

[Debra Stevens Edwards (..]

This is an awesome write. It holds a quiet desperation, that slowly drained the life out of Shelly. All around
Her no one seemed to notice what was happening until it was too late. She just could not see how much she was loved and cared about. It is a sad story but you did a great job on it.
Debby

[Emily B]

I left a great review, but, alas it was swallowed by the submit button. This is a wonderful write. I recognize many elements of your words.

[Captain Blackheart (The..]

Tamme.....this is such a powerful piece. I really liked it. It make you think why she never saw the love before and opened up to someone. A great write!!!

[desertraven]

Debra said it well. This is a very important subject that is often ignored as much as Shelley.
Sandra

[Beth]

great story. You developed it nicely and kept me interested from beginning to end.

[Tania Leigh]

Tamme, an excellent portrayal of the downward spiral of depression, ending in devastation. When someone takes their own life, they also take pieces of others' lives with them.

I like your style of writing, and this is one of my faves

[Amor-de-angel]

This is sad. But an amazing piece of work.

A word could have saved her
The dictionary is full of them
But no one said it.

How true it is,always when it's too late.
I hope your proud of this piece,I would be if I'd written it. Well done